What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grottesco
Example
The grottesco mask was both fascinating and unsettling. [grottesco: adjective]
Example
The artist's paintings were filled with grottesco imagery, depicting distorted and unsettling scenes. [grottesco: noun]
bizarre
Example
The magician's bizarre performance left the audience both fascinated and confused. [bizarre: adjective]
Example
The story had a bizarre twist that no one saw coming. [bizarre: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bizarre is more commonly used than grottesco in everyday language. Bizarre is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while grottesco is less common and refers to a more specific type of unsettling or disturbing imagery.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between grottesco and bizarre?
Both grottesco and bizarre can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but grottesco is more commonly associated with art and literature, which may make it more appropriate for formal or academic writing in those fields.